People with disabilities
We are committed to creating an environment that enables all employees to achieve their best, regardless of circumstance. Find out how people with disabilities can excel at Shell.
At Shell, we create a space in which people with disabilities can excel, from an open and transparent recruitment process to workplace adjustments and ongoing support in their various roles.
Equal Opportunities for All
Shell’s Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) team takes great pride in actively promoting equal opportunities for disabled employees. In recent years, better processes have been established across the business to ensure this equality, often as a direct result of the work of ‘disability awareness champions’ like Cherrelle Williams.
“Shell wants to give potential new hires the opportunity to put their best foot forward, and if we know about their disability beforehand, we can assist them to do so.” – Cherrelle Williams
Support in Numbers – Employee Networks
To support our employees with disabilities, we have a number of supportive internal employee networks in place, most notably the enABLE Networks. First launched in 2005 in the UK, there are now thirteen enABLE Networks across the globe (some well established such as those in UK, NL, USA, Canada, Brazil, France and India, and others just starting out in our emerging markets’.)
Each enABLE Network provides people with disabilities, or people whose lives have been touched by those with disabilities, an open forum to engage and share experiences. Through this open discussion, the network raises awareness and understanding of the challenges faced so that line managers and colleagues have the knowledge to support those with disabilities to thrive in the workplace. It allows employees with disabilities the opportunity to improve the work environment to make it more inclusive for all.
“Through the sharing of information and personal stories, others in the company are able to develop their understanding of [disability matters] and their ability to be more inclusive in the workplace. – Cherrelle Williams
Creating a space for this dialogue is crucial to facilitating the kind of open collaboration that is required for employees with disabilities to thrive.
Enabling Successful Careers for People with Disabilities
At Shell, we recognise people for their talents, understanding that people with disabilities have unique strengths that we can learn from and leverage to move the company forward. We understand that innovation requires diverse perspectives and that we need different kinds of thinking to thrive as an organisation and reach our goals.
Discover more about Shell’s approach through our employee stories.
Creating an environment that lets our people be their best
Be yourself
Read the transcript
Read the transcript
Title: Be Yourself
Duration: 2:27 minutes
Be Yourself Film Transcript
[Background music plays]
Bright, uplifting music
[Text displays]
Be Yourself
Promoting an inclusive work environment through Disability disclosure
[Animated sequence]
White background, abovementioned text displays across it while three lines - yellow, red and yellow again – move from centre of the white background towards the right. The width between the lines expands as they move from the central position and then decrease as they disappear at the right side of the screen.
[Video footage]
A blonde, Caucasian woman, in grey jacket standing next to a window with blinds.
[Female speaker 1]
I was becoming very isolated. I couldn’t talk to my colleagues and friends.
[Animated sequence]
Four blocks of colour, red, yellow, grey and white slide across the screen as the speaker fades out.
[Text displays]
‘’.. I was becoming very isolated. I couldn’t talk to my colleagues and friends…”
[Animated sequence]
The abovementioned text slides left out of the screen, followed by a yellow screen moving rapidly to the left of screen.
[Video footage]
A blonde, Caucasian woman, in grey jacket standing next to a window with blinds.
[Female speaker 1]
I thought that those feelings only belonged to me.
[Video footage]
A young, blonde Caucasian woman in glasses is shown in an outdoor setting. Behind her is long grass and trees.
[Female speaker]
It’s not easy. This is tough.
[Video footage]
A young Asian man, alongside a young Asian woman. Behind them is a white display wall with clear vases in blue, lit recesses. As the young man speaks, he turns to look at the woman alongside him. She nods in agreement at what he is saying.
[Male speaker 1]
The stigma can actually be a lot worse than the illness itself.
[Video footage]
A Caucasian man wearing glasses. Behind him and out of focus is a green lawn and trees. A sprinkler is on.
[Male speaker 2]
I’m a professional, I’m a human being, I’m a father, I’m a husband. I have hopes and dreams and life goals.
[Video footage]
An elderly Caucasian man, with silver hair and beard. He is seated in front of a glass panel which has text etched into it.
[Male speaker 3]
We’re interested in people and not the affliction.
[Video footage]
A young African woman, seated at a large desk in an office setting.
[Female speaker 3]
We are a diverse society.
[Video footage]
A Caucasian man, middle-aged. He is wearing a white shirt and blue tie and is seated at a table in front of a large, opaque window.
[Male speaker 4]
Diversity makes populations stronger.
[Video footage]
A young African woman, seated at a large desk in an office.
[Female speaker 3]
This is now the situation.
[Video footage]
A Caucasian man, middle-aged. He is wearing a white shirt and blue tie and is seated at a table in front of a large, opaque window. The camera has now zoomed in to focus on his head and shoulders.
[Male speaker 4]
We need to create that environment of inclusiveness in which diversity can blossom.
[Video footage]
A Caucasian man, dark hair, wearing glasses. He is seated in front of the same window as the previous speaker. The camera shows his head and shoulders.
[Male speaker 5]
Make sure of the question. Simply ask the question: what is it that we can do to help you perform at your best?
[Video footage]
A young Asian man, alongside a young Asian woman. Behind them is a white display wall with clear vases in blue, lit recesses. The young woman nods in agreement at what he is saying.
[Male speaker 1]
The support in the workplace can help to filter over into the community.
[Female speaker 4]
The relationships at home and with friends can be a lot more harmonious.
[Video footage]
A Caucasian woman, with shoulder-length blonde hair. She is standing in front of a window with open blinds.
[Female speaker 5]
So by sharing your situation, you will do yourself a favour.
[Video footage]
A bald Caucasian man with a goatee sitting in front of a window.
[Male Speaker 6]
You can look at it as a challenge to try and further educate people.
[Video footage]
A young Caucasian man, with short dark hair.
[Male speaker 7]
Disclose promptly. Feel recognized for your work abilities and successes.
[Video footage]
A blonde, Caucasian woman, in grey jacket, standing next to a window with blinds.
[Female speaker 1]
I’ve received nothing but support and help.
[Video footage]
Camera zooms in to show just the speaker’s head and shoulders.
[Female speaker 1]
Disclosure is really important as a part of the acceptance process.
[Video footage]
A young, blonde Caucasian woman in glasses is shown in an outdoor setting. Behind her is long grass and trees.
[Female speaker 2]
There’s a comfort level now that I don’t have to pretend to be something that I’m not.
[Video footage]
A bald Caucasian man with a goatee. He is standing or seated in front of a large, clear window. He smiles as he finishes speaking and gently shakes his head.
[Male Speaker 6]
That’s okay.
[Video footage]
A Caucasian man wearing glasses. Behind him and out of focus is a green lawn and trees. A sprinkler is on. He laughs as he finishes speaking.
[Male speaker 2]
There was no reason to ever be uncomfortable.
[Video footage]
A young, blonde Caucasian woman in glasses is shown in an outdoor setting. Behind her is long grass and trees.
[Female speaker 2]
Disclosing lets me be who I am.
[Video footage]
A young African man in a striped shirt. His shirt is unbuttoned at the neck.
[Male speaker 7]
I don’t think that there is any reason to be afraid.
[Video footage]
A Caucasian man in dark jacket and white shirt. He is standing on the uppermost level of an office. We can see the level below through the open central space, and a skylight above the uppermost floor.
[Male speaker 8]
You will be able to reach your potential, remove the fear factor.
[Video footage]
A young, blonde Caucasian woman in glasses is shown in an outdoor setting. Behind her is long grass and trees.
[Female speaker 2]
I was holding back a part of me.
[Video footage]
We see the head and shoulders of a middle-aged Caucasian man. The camera zooms in and out on him several times as he speaks.
[Male Speaker 9]
Break the taboo, demystify it, create that impact, and it was amazing.
[Video footage]
A bald Caucasian man with a goatee. He is seated at a table in front of a large, clear window.
[Male Speaker 6]
Feel good about yourself.
[Video footage]
A Caucasian man, middle-aged. He is wearing a white shirt and blue tie and is seated at a table in front of a large, opaque window.
[Male speaker 4]
Admiration.
[Video footage]
A blonde, Caucasian woman, in grey jacket, standing next to a window with blinds. The camera has now zoomed in to focus on her head and shoulders.
[Female speaker 1]
Just full of love.
[Video footage]
A young African woman, seated at a large desk in an office setting. The camera zooms in on her towards the end of her segment.
[Female speaker 3]
Always look deep in who you are. Be true to that.
[Video footage]
A Caucasian man seated behind two computer screens at a desk in an open-plan office.
[Male Speaker 10]
Have a hopeful approach to life.
[Video footage]
A young, blonde Caucasian woman in glasses is shown in an outdoor setting. Behind her is long grass and trees.
[Female speaker]
It’s about being real. It’s about being authentic; this is who I am.
[Video footage]
A Caucasian man seated behind two computer screens at a desk in an open-plan office.
[Male Speaker 10]
I think everyone is different. Whether you have a disability or not, it doesn’t matter what that difference is, and we should celebrate our differences.
[Video footage]
A Caucasian man, dark hair, wearing glasses. He is seated in front of the same window as the previous speaker. The camera shows his head and shoulders.
[Male speaker 5]
Just be yourself.
[Text displays]
Be Yourself.
[Animated sequence]
White background, abovementioned text displays across it while three lines, yellow, red and yellow again, Move from centre of the white background towards the right. The width between the lines expands as they from their central position and then decrease as they disappear at the right side of the screen. Both text and lines fade and disappear.
[Graphics]
Shell logo on white background.
[Text displays]
Copyright, Shell International Limited 2013
[Music ends]
FAQs
Should you share relevant information about your disability and/or long-term health condition when applying to an organisation?
Should you share relevant information about your disability and/or long-term health condition when applying to an organisation?
At Shell, we recommend that you do share relevant information about your disability and/or a long-term health condition to ensure that you are provided with any necessary adjustments/ accommodations. These are provided to enable you to perform to the best of your ability during the recruitment process and, if you are successful, so that Shell can support you to get the most out of your role.
When and how should you share relevant information about your adjustment needs (due to disability and/or long-term health conditions) with Shell?
When and how should you share relevant information about your adjustment needs (due to disability and/or long-term health conditions) with Shell?
When to share relevant information is an individual choice. However, at Shell, we recommend that you share this information as soon as you anticipate you will require adjustments to be made to our application and recruitment process.
When applying for the Graduate or Internship Programme at Shell you can confirm that you have an adjustments need whilst making your application. Select ‘yes’ to a statement about requiring adjustments to our processes and a member of our Recruitment Team will be in touch with you to understand how we can support you throughout the process.
If you would like to, you can also email us at careers@shell.com.
For Experienced Hire roles, you should also select ‘yes’ to our statement regarding adjustments during application. Below you can find regional and country specific information about sharing information with us.
Regional Information:
- Applying to Europe– select ‘yes’ as described above. Shell will contact you directly about the information you have shared in your application. You can also email us at careers@shell.com when you require an adjustment/accommodation.
- Applying to the United States, Brazil, Nigeria, Canada and Asia Pacific/Middle East – select ‘yes’ as described above, and email us at careers@shell.com when you require an adjustment/accommodation. Shell will contact you directly about the information you have shared.
What is the benefit of sharing this sensitive information with Shell?
What is the benefit of sharing this sensitive information with Shell?
Sharing this information benefits you as it enables Shell to work with you during the recruitment process to understand what adjustments/accommodations may be needed to allow you to perform to your fullest potential and to get the most out of your role.
If you confirm that you may require support during, or adjustments/accommodations to be made to the recruitment process, you will receive support from a member of the relevant regional recruitment team. They can provide information about assessments, discuss with you what adjustments/accommodations might be appropriate and address any concerns or fears that you may have.
What support would be available to you in the workplace if you joined Shell (specifically related to your disability and/or long-term health condition)?
What support would be available to you in the workplace if you joined Shell (specifically related to your disability and/or long-term health condition)?
Support can come from your Line Manager and/or Human Resources (HR). On your own, or with your Line Manager and/or HR, you can also speak to our Occupational Health organisation and the Shell enABLE Network, both outlined below.
Shell’s Occupational Health organisation can provide confidential support in the workplace. They can listen to individual challenges, discuss possible work place adjustments and share information on the resources available to you. They can also work with you and your Line Manager and/or HR regarding workplace support.
The Shell enABLE Networks provide employees, with and without disabilities and/or long-term health conditions, an open forum for discussion about the subject area. It also enables the sharing of experience and advice whilst helping to raise awareness of various disabilities and health related topics in the wider Shell organisation.
In addition to the above, Shell is putting in place a global Workplace Accessibility service, which is intended to provide support for all employees who are experiencing difficulty or discomfort with their immediate workspace or facilities. This service features an online catalogue of accessibility items relating to IT hardware and software, and Real Estate furniture and equipment; you can directly request many of these items using the online catalogue, or seek further assistance from a dedicated internal team of Accessibility Advisors who can help you navigate your way around the system to get what you need. The service can help you access the most commonly requested items or connect you with functional experts who can work with you on more individualized requests.
Why does Shell want people with diverse experiences, backgrounds and abilities to work for them?
Why does Shell want people with diverse experiences, backgrounds and abilities to work for them?
Shell cannot be the best version of itself without embracing the talent that individuals from various experiences, backgrounds and diverse abilities can bring to the table. Encouraging different perspectives, ways of thinking, approaches to tackling problems and developing solutions is paramount in Shell. By harnessing the differences between people, we can develop our understanding of our customer base as well as generate innovative and adaptive thinking, helping to drive the organisation towards the objective of being the most competitive and innovative energy company.
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